Teenage son feuding with Scientologist mother under arrest over fatal stabbing of man, 24

The teenage son of a Church of Scientology member was under arrest last night after a feud with his mum allegedly ended in a fatal stabbing attack. He was also sent to hospital for a mental health assessment.

The teenage son of a Church of Scientology member was under arrest last night after a feud with his mum allegedly ended in a fatal stabbing attack.

Police believe the 16-year-old took a 25cm knife from the family’s Ryde home when he tried to see his mother at the Church’s $57 million headquarters at Chatswood yesterday.

A 16-year-old was arrested at the scene. Picture: 9News

Two people were stabbed at the Sydney headquarters of the Church of Scientology Picture: TNV

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A 24-year-old Taiwanese national was slashed to the throat, and later died, and another man, 30, suffered cuts to his hand as they tried to escort the teenager up the drive away from the building.

“This very unfortunate matter is in the hands of the police,” the Church said.

“We cannot make any further comment beyond the fact that the victim was a beloved member of our Church. The Church is providing the police with any assistance needed.”

The tragedy followed a domestic incident involving the teenager and his family on Wednesday, police said.

Police at the scene after the fatal stabbing. Picture: Christopher Harris

One of the stabbed men died in hospital. Picture: TNV

A young Scientologist, who asked not to be named, said the boy’s mother was inside the facility and he had been stopped from entering to see her.

After his mother told Scientology staff what happened between them the day before, they decided to move him off the premises.

“He’s had a spin-out and they have tried to move him away to safety,” a source said. Paramedics called to the centre on Grenville St about 12.30pm fought to save the 24-year-old’s life and he was rushed to hospital but later died.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones said police had to draw their Tasers to get the teenager to drop his knife.

The Church of Scientology bought the Chatswood site for $37 million.

NSW Police securing the scene at the Church of Scientology headquarters at Chatswood. Picture: AAP

The barefoot teen’s hands were cuffed, covered by two paper bags, as he was led away by police.

“At this stage … it would appear the altercation or the reason the young person has been removed from the premises is only and solely related to a domestic incident that occurred yesterday,” Insp Jones said.

The teen was last night assisting police with their inquiries, before being taken about 11pm to Royal North Shore Hospital for a mental health assessment.

The opening of the Church of Scientology’s sprawling Australasian headquarters two years ago was hailed by the Church — which is anti-drugs and anti-psychiatry but believes in aliens — as a “golden age” for Sydney.

The teen was questioned at Chatswood Police Station.

He was taken, in custody, to hospital for a mental health assessment.

The 13,500sqm building, which once housed the National Acoustic Laboratory, was bought by the Church for $37 million before being gutted and renovated.

“It’s a huge building, a lot of people come from around Asia to study here,” the young Church member said yesterday.

“It offers a lot of services other (Scientology properties) don’t.”

Originally published as Teenage son feuding with Scientologist mother under arrest over fatal stabbing of man, 24